Last night saw the intimate launch of the third edition of Blastfest at Bergen Norway's infamous Garage, featuring excellent performances from each and every band including Chrome Division and Mistur.

Today the event moves on to a much larger venue, USF Verftet for the remainder of the festival which will host bands such as Gorgoroth, Ihsahn, Abbath and many more in 'A One Time Only Celebration Of The Norwegian Metal Scene'!

With such an amazing celebration, and yet so many people across the world not being able to attend, Blastfest are now coming to you via an online live stream! Although it's not the same as being in Bergen and experiencing the festival first hand, at least you can now experience a part of it.

It's been months in the making, but the schedule for Blastfest 2016 is complete. Now in its third year, the Bergen festival has not only put together yet another incredible lineup, but also one in which will be a one-time-only celebration of the Norwegian scene.

A 100% Norwegian lineup, which includes the likes of Abbath, Arcturus, Taake, 1349, Gorgoroth and even some rare appearances from the likes of Green Carnation. Blastfest 2016 will be a truly memorable occasion, with chief and owner Yngve Christiansen comments:

"2016 will be a very special festival edition with a lineup consisting solely of Norwegian bands. The bands represented at Blastfest are the legends, those from the beginning, the ones who made it evolve... the ones who disappeared... the ones who never stopped... the ones whom you should have heard more about... and the ones you will hear about. We have done our best to make a strong lineup representing Norway in the best possible way." More...

Norwegian outfit Dødheimsgard - which released fifth album "A Umbra Omega" earlier this year - is set to embark on a European tour in March of 2016 alongside Secrets Of The Moon, Thulcandra, and Our Survival Depends On Us.

"A Umbra Omega" was DHG’s first album since 2007’s "Supervillain Outcast" opus, and undoubtedly marked the band’s most challenging work to date of twisted, technical, and sprawling epics.

Dødheimsgard was formed in 1994 by Vicotnik & Aldrahn. The early incarnation was that of a raw and melodic black metal band, with debut album "Kronet til Konge" (20th anniversary edition coming December 11, 2015) also featuring Fenriz of Darkthrone on bass, before the poisons of a more avantgarde & schizophrenic concoction started to take hold. Catch the band live:

Norway's Blastfest made a special announcement a few months back that it will be celebrating its national metal scene by boasting a 100% Norwegian lineup featuring such as Abbath, Green Carnation, Ihsahn, Ancient and Gorgoroth.

The festival has now announced another wave of bands that will be appearing in February 2016, including Arcturus, Dødheimsgard, Nekromantheon, Viper Solfa, Endezzma, Nocturnal Breed, and Execration. The full (current) lineup is as follows:

Dødheimsgard has teamed up with Noisey to stream the band's fifth album, "A Umbra Omega," which is set for release on March 17th via Peaceville Records.

Give it a listen below before it hits stores next week. You can also pre-order the album over at this location. "A Umbra Omega" is DHG's first album since 2007's "Supervillain Outcast" opus, and marks the band's most challenging work to date: twisted, technical, sprawling epics and an inverted outlook on existence from the depths of band mastermind/writer/producer, Vicotnik. More...

After seven years of silence, Norwegian black metal outfit Dødheimsgard is back with a new album titled "A Umbra Omega". Today they offer us a first taste of the new effort and premiere the track "Aphelion Void" below.

States Yusaf "Vicotnik" Parvez about what we can expect from "A Umbra Omega": More...

Dødheimsgard has completed work on a fifth album, titled "A Umbra Omega" and set for release on March 17th via Peaceville Records.

The first fruits of DHG's re-animated labor manifest in the shape of this new studio album with original co-founding member Aldrahn (Thorns/The Deathtrip) making a return to the asylum on vocal duties alongside Vicotnik's exquisite and unconventional compositions and structures.

"A Umbra Omega" is DHG's first album since 2007's "Supervillain Outcast" opus, and undoubtedly marks the band's most challenging work to date; twisted, technical, sprawling epics and an inverted outlook on existence from the depths of band mastermind/writer/producer, Vicotnik, with similarities drawn to previous classic DHG works such as "666 International" and "Satanic Art." More...

Swedish death metal giants Amon Amarth are the latest band to confirm an appearance at the Brutal Assault 2012 Festival. The festival will be held from August 9-11, 2012 at the Old Army Fortress in Josefov, Czech Republic.

Amon Amarth will join the following bands who had previously confirmed:

"Dear all, even though Kvosht's departure seems sudden and abrupt I can assure you that it is not. This decision was in fact a welcome one by all parties involved and has no consequence towards the ambition that the band has set out for the forthcoming years. Hence, the job of bringing forth a new band going under the dhg banner was set in motion a long time ago. I never wanted to make a big fuss about the changes within the band this time around, since no new release has been offered and nothing really significant has happened since Kvosht last stepped out of the band in 2007. Quite frankly, I did not see it as that big of a deal.

"In this context, I guess Kvosht's statements seem a bit confusing in relation to whats really going on in the Asylum these days...I can only guess that he wanted to address those among you who are his fans, and let you know what he is doing next. Unfortunately, this has also caused some confusion among promoters, ticket buyers for upcoming shows, and Dødheimsgard followers in general.

"I therefore find it appropriate to make you all aware that the path of Dødheimsgard has suffered no setbacks nor come to a halt. Upcoming shows and the work going into the next album will continue as planned. It's all been a long process in which to see what is manageable inside the confines of a small group of people that are pushing in the same direction. In order to get to where you want to be, you sometimes need to try certain things before you reach the perfect balance on the scale. It's a natural progression and evolution of any collective outlet that does not work at a 100 percent of its capacity. It can be due to different priorities, logistics, creative differences etc. But whatever it is, you take what you have and slowly tune, turn and twist it into a clear minded exotic beast that will offer expressive music in various forms for years to come.

"Sometimes that means departing with someone that has brought a lot to the band in the past. So, even though it has amounted to much extra work, it was all necessary in relation to bringing the band out of auto-pilot mode and to reconnect with the passion, the hunger, and the ambition to create music with no inhibitions. More news is coming soon."

Vocalist Kvohst, who announced his departure from the band Code earlier this year, has now issued the following update about parting ways with Dødheimsgard:

"It's no secret that I'm no longer working the band Dødheimsgard/DHG. My last live DHG show was at Hellfest this summer and I had decided some weeks prior to the show that it would be my last.

"I am very proud to have been a part of the band in every way and I would like to thank the fans and also my friends in the band with all my heart for all the unique and life-changing experiences over the years.

"Dødheimsgard will continue, of course, with Vicotnik's bulletproof resilient talents for making some of the best metal music in the world, and the tightest lineup the band has ever seen. I'm looking forward to seeing them again as a fan, from the front row. I will now devote all my creative energy to my own music with Hexvessel. Blessed equinox one and all."

Additionally, the organizers have announced the lineup for the first day (Thursday). AUTOPSY will be headlining this day and the rest of the bands playing will be: AGALLOCH, EYEHATEGOD, RORSCHACH, DYING FETUS, DESASTER, NEEDFUL THINGS, DIE PIGEON DIE, and EXTERMINATION ANGEL.

Four-day passes (Thursday-Sunday) and 3-day passes (Friday-Sunday) will go on sale on Monday, September 26th. Single day tickets for Thursday will also go on sale on the 26th. More...

Kvohst, vocalist of the British/Norwegian black metal act Code, has left the band. Code guitarist Aort has posted the following statement online, announcing the departure:

"With regret, I would like to announce that Kvohst has left Code in order to concentrate on his own music with Hexvessel and vocals with Dodheimsgard. I, of course, wish him all the best for the future and extend my thanks for 10 years of pleasurable and productive work together.

"This is not the end, but hopefully a shift in course to fresh destinations.

"I have been working with a great new musical lineup over the last half a year or so to really hone where the new album will be heading. I have been working on this new album for the last two years and we all believe very strongly in it's potential as a dynamic follow-up to 'Resplendent Grotesque'.

"How this will be realised vocally is not clear at the moment. There are many questions that remain unanswered... but there are irons in fires. The one certainty is that I am as determined as I have ever been and I will put the same unflinching soul and dedication into the future as I have with both of our albums to date. I also have new projects afoot which will up the ante in terms of brutality and darkness so please keep your eyes peeled for more information.

"Thanks, as ever, to all those who find a home within Code's musical endeavours… Your continued support is always massively appreciated."

Norway's Dodheimsgard and California's Exhumed are the latest acts to be confirmed for the upcoming 2011 edition of the Inferno Festival. The Norwegian Inferno festival is set to take place from April 20th - 23rd, 2011. Additional details on the festival can be found here. The currently announced lineup is as follows:

Norway's Dodheimsgard has issued the following update about adding on new tour dates:

"2 more shows announced for 2011! 1st off is Helsinki! We destroy Nosturi on the 4th of March. It will be the 1st time ever that DHG play Helsinki! The other show is Poland! We will level the Mega Club on the 4th of June!

"We're very proud to be coming to play these shows. Check out our schedule for next year on the Myspace and keep your eyes peeled for more announcements soon."

The organisers of France's biggest metal festival, Hellfest, has announced that four huge names have been added to next year's bill. Heavy metal godfather Ozzy Osbourne will be taking the stage, as well as German hard rock legends the Scorpions, who will be retiring after they complete their touring schedule. Also confirmed for the festival are Swedish progressive metal favourites Opeth and Black Label Society, which features former Ozzy Osbourne guitarist Zakk Wylde. There are also more new confirmations in the form of German thrash legends Kreator and Sodom, Norwegian black metal veterans Mayhem, Anathema, Bolt Thrower and Therion. The festival will take place in Clisson, France from June 17th-19th.

Norway's Dødheimsgard has issued the following announcement about the band's next upcoming live show, which will occur in March 2011:

"Our Hellenic cohorts! We return to you in triumph, with slung lips and adhesive arms in March 2011! The unholy shack that will host our comeback on Athenian soil is Gagarin.

"We are extremely proud to announce this show, to make our prodigal way back to your almighty land and to see all our favourite maniac fiends again. A slightly different setlist and few different faces, but the same ill logic of magic and insanity that you have come to know from Dødheimsgard. We'll keep you updated with our chosen support and other things as we get nearer to the time. We'll see you in March brothers, for the dawn of the apocalypse!"

Dødheimsgard has issued the following announcement about seeking fan contributions of photos, videos, and flyers:

"Fiends and cohorts - your help is required! Dødheimsgard are collecting archival media from their past for an upcoming project. We are looking for anything, scans or links to photos, videos, interviews, flyers or anything Dødheimsgard related. Any videos from the Dimmu Borgir/DHG tour are very sought-after, as are any promotional pictures from the Kronet Til Konge era, Monumental Possession etc etc.

"If you can upload it online then that would be preferable, but if you have anything interesting you can send, then we will pay for it to be posted and return it safely via registered mail. Everyone who sends material will have their name entered into a competition to win a free copy of Supervillain Outcast on CD and will also have their names featured on/in the upcoming project (as yet undisclosed). Please send your ephemera/links/junk/spam to kvohst AT Hotmail DOT com."

The organisers of France's biggest metal festival, Hellfest, has announced the first round of bands that will be performing at next year's version of the event. Among them include hardcore punk icons Bad Brains and The Exploited, along with many metal veterans such as Mayhem, Angel Witch, Sodom, Doro and the return of Swiss thrashers Coroner. Also on the bill will be Triptykon, Belphegor, Church Of Misery, Converge, The Haunted, The Melvins, Dodheimsgard, Grave, In Solitude, Therion, Karma To Burn, Malevolent Creation, Morne, My Sleeping Karma, Nasty, Orphaned Land, Raw Power, Septicflesh, Shai Hulud, Valient Thorr, The Young Gods and Your Demise. Over 100 other bands are expected to be confirmed for the festival, which will take place from June 17th-19th in the town of Clisson.

Norway's Dødheimsgard has checked in with the following update about the band's activity:

"It is that time again when you throw away your leather jacket and get your straight-jacket on! A master-plan of dirty deeds is currently under construction at supervillain HQ. The first menacing news rumored is that DHG has a confirmed court order at a major open-air festival next year. A more extensive international spree is, at this very moment, under consultation with our partners in crime.

"DHG's arsenal of despicable actions on display next year are as follows: Traces of Reality, Ion Storm, Å Slakte Gud, Vendetta Assassin, Monumental Possession and more. After three years in a shared cell at the institute for the musically insane, Vicotnik and Kvohst have turned a thousand burdens into 30 new tunes and texts. Once they are given an unclean bill of health, a new album will be discharged and released...

"Two new inmates have joined the Asylum. Vooren (drums) and Blargh from Nidingr (guitars). Both Vooren and Blargh have perfected their individual crafts for years and have had extensive band-experience before joining the DHG asylum. Both are looking forward to their new existence as unproductive members of society.

"Today's line up is: Vicotnik, Kvosht, Clandestine, Jormundgand, Vooren and Blargh. Stay tuned for updates, photos, music and other sorts of twists and turns."

Dødheimsgard has issued the following announcement about guitarist/vocalist Vicotnik appearing with black metal act Strid for an upcoming live show:

"The highly influential, enigmatic and cult Norwegian black metal band Strid returns to the live stage at Knokkelrock Festival in Oslo, on the 8th October, and features DHG's Vicotnik alongside original members of the band.

"We recommend and advise that you don't miss out on this rare chance to see Strid along with a band hand-picked by Vicotnik, after seeing them live in their home country of Finland, Dark Buddha Rising. See here for more details."